Combined suitcase, head and back rest



April 10, 1945. A. w. DOUX COMBINED SUITCASE, HEAD AND BACK REST ATTORNEY I m WW Q m m Y B 5 0 V.

April 10, 1945. A. w. DOUX COMBINED SUITCASE, HEAD AND BACK REST FiledSept. 27, 1943 L2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORL ALFRED W. DOUX.

Patented Apr. 10, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINED SUITCASE;HEAD AND BACK REST Alfredo W. Doux, New York, N. Y. 1 ApplicationSeptember 27, 1943, Serial No. 503,979

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a, combined carrying case, and collapsiblehead and back rest.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact carryingcase which is easily convertible selectively into a head and a backrest.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a devicesuitably constructed for carrying beach apparel as well as edibles andwhich is convertible into a beach back or head rest.

It is a further object of the present invention to accomplish the aboveobjects with simplicity of construction and utilizing a minimum numberof parts, thus facilitating conversion from one form or condition of thedevice to another.

Yet another object of the'present invention is to provide asubstantially rigid carrying case which can be manipulated with but afew operations, to form a sturdy resting device for use at beaches, onthe lawn, at picnics, on pleasure boats, and etc.

A still further object of the present invention is to utilize the top ofsaid carrying case as a shade when the case isconverted as a head rest.

This invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combination of parts and in the unique relations of the members and inthe relative proportioningand disposition thereof; all as morecompletely outlined herein.

To enable others skilledin the art so fully to comprehend the underlyingfeatures thereof that theymay embody the same by the numerousmodifications in structure and relation contemplated by .this invention,drawings depicting certain forms of the invention have been annexed as apart of this disclosure, and in such drawings, like characters ofreference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which:

Fig, 1 is a front elevational view of a device embodying the inventionand presented in the form of a carrying case;

' shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 illustrates the aforesaid device in open position and beingpresented as a head rest;

Fig. 5 illustrates the device in open position and being presented as aback rest;

Fig. fiillustrates the invention in a modified form wherein acollapsible diagonal brace is disclosed;

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic view showing the de vice in operation as ahead rest; and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the device in operation as a backrest.

Referring nowmore particularly to the drawings, the numeral ID, ingeneral, indicates the device employed as a carrying case. The structurewhich when made up in the form of the box-like skeleton for the carryingcase shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings comprises a frame formed bythe relatively long strips 23, 24 and the shorter strips 25 and 26,disposed at each of the two ends of the device; and the preferablycylindrical cross-bars 51, I9, 20' and 2|, connecting these frames inspaced relation. One end of each of the shorter strips 25 and arespective end of each the longer strips 23, are connected to an endoflongitudinal rod or bar 20; the other end of each of the shorter strips25 and a respective end of each of the longer strips 24 are relativelyswingably connected together and connected to longitudinal rod or bar 2I; while-the other end of each of the strips 24 and a respective end ofeach of the shorter strips 26 are relatively swingably connectedtogether and connected to rod or bar I9. A preferably cylindrical tierod or bar 18 similar to the aforementioned cross bars is secured tostrip 26 adjacent their free ends 26a; the said ends 26a beingsubstantially hook-shaped as indicated at 39 to engage .the bar I! whenthe device is set up as a carrying case as clearly seen in Fig. 2,

Wrapped around. and supported by the cross bars [1, l8, I9, 20, 2!, is acovering generally indicated in Fig. 1 by the letter C, comprising thefront and rear sides H, l2, respectively, bottom l5, top l6 having theextension or flap 33, overlying the front side. I I when the device isset up as a carrying case. Flap 33 carries preferably two buckle members34 engageable with straps 35 carried by front side II. The covering Cpreferably continues over cross bar ll, the extended portion Ila beingconnectedt'o cross bar 2| providing a diagonal partition when the deviceis used as a carrying case and selectively providing a back rest (Figs.5 and 8) and a head rest (Figs. 4 and '7) r The ends of the bottom l5and the ends of the front and rear sides ll, l2 are preferably foldedover as indicated at 59, 60, providing pockets for the stays 55, 56respectively. These stays and folded over portions are preferably,provided with eyelets 51 receiving securing means 58 to fix the covering0 to the strips 23, 24, 25,

l4 having elements 6| adapted to engage elements 62 fixed to the foldedover ends of front side elements 6|, 62 constituting members ofcomplementary fastening means. When flaps l3, M are thus secured, theycomprise the ends of the set up carrying case. Any other suitable meansmay be employed to secure the flaps 3, M in position.

Covering C is preferably constructed of suitable water-proof fabric orcomposition; or any other suitable material may be used.

Diagonally disposed end braces 21 are secured to the strips 23, 25. Atie member 28 is hingedly or pivotedly secured to each of the strips 24,the

"free ends of the members 28 having slots 3| adapted to engage stop pins29, when the device is to be used as a back rest and either stop pins 29or 30 when the device is to be used as a head ployed (a) as a carryingcase to hold articles of clothing and food, (b) as a back rest whenmanipulated into one position with the diagonal member Na and the frontside H extending substantially upwardly and the rear side I2 flatagainst the ground or floor, and (c) as a head rest when manipulatedinto another position with the diagonal member inclined toward thehorizontal, the front side against the ground or floor, and the rearside |2 extending upwardly.

' According to the modification shown in Fig. 6, the strips 23a and 25aare joined together by the diagonal brace 45, consisting of two parts 46and 41, hinged at 4B. The member 46 has a locking projection 49permitting the opening of hinged diagonal member 45 only in onedirection.

Diagonal-brace 45 is locked onto cross member 2|a through its bookportionl1. I

From the foregoing it is evident that the invention in one of itsspecific aspects comprises a pair of. end frames each made up of theelements 23, 24, 25, 26, forminga rectangular structure, the elongatedmembers I9, 20, 2| connecting these frames in spacedrelation,the'corresponding elements and adjacent corresponding elements24 of the frames being arranged for relative swingable movement; and thecorresponding elements 24 and the adjacent corresponding elements 25being arranged for relative swingable movement, the frames and themembers constituting a box-like skeleton; a covering C envelop ing thesides, top and bottom of the skeleton-and secured to the elements 23,24, 25, the covering including. the end extensions l3, l4 overlying theend frames and a flap 33 extending beyond member l9 to overlie memberl1. and or l8, means 6|,

, 62 for removably securing. extensions 3, M to the end frames, meansfor securing the flap 33 in such overlying. position, the skeleton andthe covering constituting a carrying case having three sectionsswingable relatively to each other, respectively, namely, anintermediatesection including the elements 24, an outer section including elements26, and an outer section including elements 23, 25, the outer sectionsbeing engageable and disengageable from each other selectively at 39whereby the case may be closed and swung open respectively, one of theouter sections comprising the bottom I5 and side ll of the case andincluding the partition Ila extending from member I! to the member 2|forming the juncture of said one of the outer sections and theintermediate section, partition ||a being adapted to constituteselectively a back rest and a head rest for different positions of thecase when swung open, and means 21, 28, 30, 3|, for maintaining the saidone outer section in fixed relation with respect to said intermediatesection.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided by thisinvention acombined suitcase, head and back rest, in which the various objectshereinabove set forth, together with many thoroughly practicaladvantages, are successfully achieved. As many possible embodiments maybe made of the above invention, and as many changes might be made in theembodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all'matterherein'before set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention what is claimed as new and desired tobe secured by Letters Patent, is: 1

1. A combined case, head and back rest comprising a pair of spaced-apartend frames, elongated members connecting said frames, each of saidframes comprising elements connected together to form a rectangularstructure, corresponding elements of said frames being arranged to swingwith relation to other corresponding'elements of said frames to provideswingable sections, said frames and said members constituting a box-likeskeleton, a covering eleveloping the sides, top and bottom of saidskeleton and secured to at least some of said elements, said coveringincluding end extensions overlying said end frames and a flap extendingbeyond one of said members to overlie another of said members adjacentthereto, means for removably securing said extensions to said endframes, means for securing said flap in said overlying position, saidskeleton and said covering constituting a carrying case having threesections swingable relatively to each other to provide an intermediateand outer swingable sections respectively, said outer sections beingengageable with and disengageable from each other selectively wherebysaid case may be closed and swung open respectively, one of said outersections comprising the bottom and a side of saidcase and including adiagonal partition extending from the juncture of said one outer sectionand said intermediate section to the juncture of said one outer sectionand the other outer section when the' case is closed, said partitionbeing adapted to constitute selectively a back rest and' a head rest fordifferent positions of said case when swung open, and means formaintaining said one outer section'in fixed relation with respect tosaid intermediate section when said case is swung open.

2. A combined case, head and back rest comprising a pair of spaced-parten'd frames, elongated members connecting said frames, each of saidframes comprising elements connected together to form a rectangularstructure, corresponding elements of said frames being arranged to swingwith relation toother correspondingelements of said frames to provideswingable'sections, said frames and said members-constituting a box-likeskeleton, a covering enveloping-the sides, top and bottom of saidskeleton, said covering including end extensions overlying said endframes, means for removably securing said extensions to said end frames,said skeleton and .said covering constituting a carrying case havingthree sections swingable relatively to each other to provide anintermediate and outer swingable sections respectively, said outersections being engageable with and disengageable flJfrom each otherselectively whereby said case may be closed and swung open respectively,one

; of said outer sectionscomprising the bottom and a side of said caseand including a partition extending substantially diagonally across saidone outer section, said partition being adapted to constituteselectively a back rest and a head rest for different positions of saidcase when swung open.

3. A combined case, head and back rest comprising a pair of spaced-apartend frames, elongated members connecting said frames, each of saidframes comprising elements connected together to form a rectangularstructure, corresponding elements of said frames being arranged to swingwith relation to other corresponding elementsof said frames to provideswingable sections, said frames and said members constituting a box-likeskeleton, and a covering enveloping the sides, top and bottom of saidskeleton and overlying said end frames, said skeleton and said coveringconstituting a carrying case having three sections swingable relativelyto each other to provide an intermediate and outer swingable sectionsrespectively, said outer sections being engageable with anddisengageable from each other selectively whereby said case withrelation to other corresponding elements of and a head rest fordifferent positions of said.

case when sw,ung open, and means for maintaining said one outer sectionin fixed relation with respect to said intermediate section when saidcase is swung open.

4. A combined case, head and back rest comprising a pair of spaced-apartend frames, elongated members connecting said frames, each of saidframes comprising elements connected together to form a structure,corresponding elements of said frames being arranged to swin withrelation to other corresponding elements of said frames to provideswingable portions, said frames and said members constituting a box-likeskeleton, a covering enveloping said skeleton, said skeleton and saidcovering constituting a carrying case having three sections svvingablerelatively to each other to provide an intermediate and outer swingablesections respectively, said outer sections being engageable with anddisengageable from each other selectively whereby said case may beclosed and swung open respectively, one of said sections comprising thebottom and a side of said case, and a diagonally disposed memberconnected to at least one of said sections and extending within saidcase, said exu tending member being adapted to constitute sesaid framesto provide swingable sections, said frames and said members constitutinga box-like skeleton, and a covering enveloping said skeleton, saidskeleton and said covering constituting a carrying case having threesections swingalble relatively to each other, two of said three sectionsbeing engageable with and disengageable from each other selectivelywhereby saidcase may be closed and swung'open respectively, a diagonallydisposed member connected to at least one of said three sections andextending Within said case, said extending member being adapted. to

constitute selectively a back rest and a head rest for differentpositions of said case when swung open.

6. A combined case, head and back rest comprising a pair of spaced-apartend frames, elongated members connecting said frames, each of saidframes comprising elements connected together to form a structure,corresponding elements of said frames being arranged to swing withrelation to other corresponding elements of said frames to provideswingable sections, said frames and said members constituting a box-likeskeleton, a covering enveloping said skeleton, said skeleton and saidcovering constituting a carrying case having three sections swingablerelatively to each other to provide an intermediate and outer sectionsrespectively, said outer sections being engageable with anddisengageable from each other selectively whereby said case may beclosed and swung open respectively, one of said sections comprising thebottom and a side of said case, and a diagonally disposed memberconnected to at least one of said sections and extending within saidcase, said extending member being adapted to constitute selectively aback rest and a head rest for different positions of said case whenswung open, one of said sections constituting a shade when said memberis used as a head rest.

7. A combined case, head and back rest comprising a pair of spaced-apartend frames, elongated members connecting said frames, each of saidframes comprising elements connected together to form a structure,corresponding elements of said frames being arranged to swing withrelation to other corresponding elements of said frames to provideswingable portions, said frames and said members constituting a boxlikeskeleton, a covering enveloping said skeleton, said skeleton and saidcovering constituting a carrying case having sections swingablerelatively to each other, twp of said sections being engageable with anddisengageable from each other selectively whereby said case may beclosed and swung open respectively, one of said sections comp-rising thebottom and a side of said case and diagonally disposed elementsconnected to said bottom and said side, a diagonally disposed memberconnected to at least one of said sections and extending within saidcase, said extending member being adapted to constitute selectively aback rest and head rest for different positions of said case when swungopen, one of said outer sections constituting a shadewhen said member isused as a head rest.

8. A combined case, head and back rest comprising a pair of spaced-apartend frames, elongated members connecting said frames, each of saidframes comprising elements connected together to form a structure,corresponding elements of said frames being arranged to swing withrelation to other corresponding elements of said frames to provideswingable portions, said frames and said members constituting a boxlikeskeleton, a .covening enveloping saidskeleton, said covering includingend extensions overlying said frames, means for removably fasten-- 1disposed elements connected to said bottom and said side, a diagonallydisposed member .conheated to at least one of said sections andextending within said case, saidextending member being adapted toconstitute selectively a back rest and head rest for different positionsof said case when swung open, one of said outer sections. constituting ashade when said member is used as a head rest, said extensionsconstituting lateral shade members when said case is swpng open and saidextending member is used as a head rest.

ALFREDO W. DOUX.

